The Elizabethan Age of pop culture, from Sex Pistols and “The Crown” to Paddington and beyond
The Sex Pistols, London, UK, 10th March 1979. (Bill Rowntree/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)aceholderReleased at the same time as Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee, the single’s lyrics contain little reverence for the queen or the monarchy. “God save the Queen/ ‘Cause tourists are money,” Johnny Lydon wails in the second verse, “And our figurehead/ Is not what she seems.”
The song reached No. 1 in the UK in 1977 despite (or more like, because of) being banned by the BBC, and though the lyrics screamed out the working class’ frustrations at the growing divide between the wealthy and poor — “No future, no future, no future for you!” blares its indictment of an outro, a repeat of the song’s original title — the band and song’s primary intent was to shock the public. Until then, no popular song had dared to be so openly disrespectful of Elizabeth or the monarchy. But it would not be the last.
The Smiths’ 1986 hit “The Queen Is Dead” lets its title shoulder most of the ire, styling Morrissey‘s disdain for the monarchy in sullen lyrics that close by repeating, “Life is very long when you’re lonely.” The Stone Roses flip that concept with 1989’s politely titled “Elizabeth, My Dear,” with lyrics explicitly stating the singer’s desire to topple the monarchy:
Tear me apart and boil my bones
I’ll not rest ’til she’s lost her throne
My aim is true, my message is clear
It’s curtains for you, Elizabeth my dear
Not every pop star was or is anti-Windsor, proven by the outpouring of condolences from rock stars in Britain and the U.S. in light of the queen’s death, which also resulted in the Mercury prize’s award ceremony being delayed. (It was already underway on Thursday night when organizers halted the affair.) Songs released prior to the Sex Pistols’ aural assault, and since, sprinkle doting references to Elizabeth in an assortment of lyrics. Even the late and legendary BB King pictures himself in conversation with Elizabeth, leaning out of Rolls Royce and admitting to him that “sometimes it’s so hard to pull things together” in his song, “Better Not Look Down.”
If the pop music world liked the queen, or at least respected the office, the feeling was somewhat mutual . . . at least when it comes to Wham! According to a memoir entry from band’s late ex-manager Bryan Morrison,the queen allegedly requested an audience with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in 1985 when the band was at the apex of its popularity.